Kezie Dugdale today backs calls for a second EU referendum after blasting Labour’s approach to Brexit.

The ex-Scottish Labour leader accuses Jeremy Corbyn of running a “lazy and lacklustre” Remain campaign last year and insists Labour should now be fighting harder to maintain membership of the single market.

She added: “I blame David Cameron for calling a referendum no one wanted in the first place, but I also blame my party, the Labour Party for a totally lazy and lacklustre remain campaign that got us here.

Kezia Dugdale has put the boot into Jeremy Corbyn (Image: PA)

Kezia Dugdale blasted Corbyn over 'lazy' Remain campaign (Image: PA)

“And yes, I blame Jeremy Corbyn too for failing to use the power of his popular appeal to convince traditional labour voters to see that Europe creates more good than harm.”

Dugdale, who shocked observers by resigning as Scottish Labour leader last month, had a strained relationship with Corbyn and backed his opponent in last year’s leadership contest.

Her incendiary comments came amid controversy over why Brexit is being discussed so little at the Labour Party conference in Brighton after it was not chosen by delegates among eight policy motions for full debate.

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There was an hour long debate on the issue yesterday but no vote on contentious issues such as the future of single market membership.

Dugdale put the boot in, saying: “Now the country has spoken, I’m embarrassed by the complete paucity of my party to say and do the right thing no matter how hard or unpopular that might be at first.

“Seriously, Labour have just denied their own members a meaningful vote on the issue of Brexit at party conference – whatever happened to straight talking honest politics?”

Dugdale had a strained relationship with Corbyn (Image: Daily Record)

Turning to the issue of a second vote on Brexit once the terms of the deal are known, she added: “If the UK Parliament and the other 27 nations of Europe get a final say on the deal, why shouldn’t we? No one voted to be poorer but that’s what we’re all going to be.

“Brexit is spiralling out of control and out of the interests of working people. That’s why we the people should take back control with a final vote on the deal.”

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Meanwhile, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a “abdication of responsibility” that the Labour conference would have no debate on Brexit.

But Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer insisted his party’s approach to Brexit had been “grown up and pragmatic”.

Speaking at the conference event, he said: “Labour are now the grown-ups in the room,” Mr Starmer said, insisting that “remaining in a form of customs union after a transition post-Brexit phase remained a “possible end destination” for the party.

“We are also flexible as to whether the benefits of the single market are best retained by negotiating a new single market relationship or working up from a bespoke trade deal,” he added. “The outcome is what matters.”